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An investigation by 60 Minutes, The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age newspaper has confirmed that Labor MP Shaoquett Moselmane's office is now the centre of the most serious ASIO counter foreign interference operation since the Cold War.
ASIO are investigating the allegation that, whether knowingly or unknowingly, Moselmane is potentially being influenced by the Chinese government.
No allegations have been proven. It is also possible that Mr Moselmane may only be an unwitting victim of a Chinese government influence operation.
ASIO are investigating the allegation that, whether knowingly or unknowingly, Moselmane is potentially being influenced by the Chinese government. (Nine)
In an early morning raid on Friday, a dozen Australian Federal Police Officers searched Mr Moselmane's house and his cars, because ASIO fear his political office may have been infiltrated by China.
The AFP raids were aimed at finding evidence on phones and laptops that could be used to prove that Beijing was intent on infiltrating New South Wales politics.
In an early morning raid on Friday, a dozen Australian Federal Police Officers searched Mr Moselmane's house and his cars. (Nine)
The reaction to the raid was swift and within hours the Australian Labor Party moved to suspend Moselmane.
Intelligence expert Neil Fergus says the ASIO investigation is unprecedented and that the agency would not take this step lightly.
"There is no place for someone in our parliaments if they are taking instructions from a foreign power," Fergus told 60 Minutes.
Mr Moselmane's pro-China views have previously attracted great scrutiny. (Nine)
Mr Moselmane's pro-China views have previously attracted great scrutiny. He has given speeches praising Beijing and in the last decade visited China more than 10 times, sometimes at the country's expense.
In late February, Mr Moselmane was filmed at Golden Century restaurant in Sydney praising the Chinese government's response to the deadly coronavirus despite evidence suggesting it initially covered up the contagion and allowed it to spread around the world.
"It has spread a little, but because it was contained so much in China, that meant that the rest of the world had not been affected as it would if those measures were not taken," he said at the restaurant.
"So, congratulations to the government…we know who are our friends in crisis."
Investigative reporter Nick Mckenzie. (Nine)
Alex Joske from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute said Moselmane's comments about the coronavirus join a long list of indefensible statements he's already made.
"If it turns out that he has been working on behalf of a foreign government, then he should absolutely not be representing the people of NSW," Joske told 60 Minutes.
Joske says Moselmane's affinity with China has been helped along by his part time staffer and speechwriter John Zhang, a man with deep and enduring links to the Chinese Communist Party overseas influence agency, the United Front Work department.
Alex Joske from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute Moselmane's comments about the coronavirus join a long list of indefensible statements he's already made. (Nine)
"John Zhang has quite clear links to the United Front Work department. He is a member of one of their front groups in Shanghai. It is always concerning to see someone with those kinds of links working in a politicians office," Joske said.
Alex Joske says the aim of the Shanghai Overseas Friendship Association, run by the United Front Work department, where Zhang is a member is "to influence Australian politics."
ASIO are investigating the allegation that, whether knowingly or unknowingly, Moselmane is potentially being influenced by the Chinese government. (Nine)
Shaoquett Moselmane and John Zhang both declined to be interviewed by 60 Minutes.
Watch 'Foreign Interference' and full episodes of 60 Minutes on 9Now.
https://9now.nine.com.au/60-minutes...-minutes/6939c129-181f-4bfd-8228-e4da4d17540b
ASIO are investigating the allegation that, whether knowingly or unknowingly, Moselmane is potentially being influenced by the Chinese government.
No allegations have been proven. It is also possible that Mr Moselmane may only be an unwitting victim of a Chinese government influence operation.
ASIO are investigating the allegation that, whether knowingly or unknowingly, Moselmane is potentially being influenced by the Chinese government. (Nine)
In an early morning raid on Friday, a dozen Australian Federal Police Officers searched Mr Moselmane's house and his cars, because ASIO fear his political office may have been infiltrated by China.
The AFP raids were aimed at finding evidence on phones and laptops that could be used to prove that Beijing was intent on infiltrating New South Wales politics.
In an early morning raid on Friday, a dozen Australian Federal Police Officers searched Mr Moselmane's house and his cars. (Nine)
The reaction to the raid was swift and within hours the Australian Labor Party moved to suspend Moselmane.
Intelligence expert Neil Fergus says the ASIO investigation is unprecedented and that the agency would not take this step lightly.
"There is no place for someone in our parliaments if they are taking instructions from a foreign power," Fergus told 60 Minutes.
Mr Moselmane's pro-China views have previously attracted great scrutiny. (Nine)
Mr Moselmane's pro-China views have previously attracted great scrutiny. He has given speeches praising Beijing and in the last decade visited China more than 10 times, sometimes at the country's expense.
In late February, Mr Moselmane was filmed at Golden Century restaurant in Sydney praising the Chinese government's response to the deadly coronavirus despite evidence suggesting it initially covered up the contagion and allowed it to spread around the world.
"It has spread a little, but because it was contained so much in China, that meant that the rest of the world had not been affected as it would if those measures were not taken," he said at the restaurant.
"So, congratulations to the government…we know who are our friends in crisis."
Investigative reporter Nick Mckenzie. (Nine)
Alex Joske from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute said Moselmane's comments about the coronavirus join a long list of indefensible statements he's already made.
"If it turns out that he has been working on behalf of a foreign government, then he should absolutely not be representing the people of NSW," Joske told 60 Minutes.
Joske says Moselmane's affinity with China has been helped along by his part time staffer and speechwriter John Zhang, a man with deep and enduring links to the Chinese Communist Party overseas influence agency, the United Front Work department.
Alex Joske from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute Moselmane's comments about the coronavirus join a long list of indefensible statements he's already made. (Nine)
"John Zhang has quite clear links to the United Front Work department. He is a member of one of their front groups in Shanghai. It is always concerning to see someone with those kinds of links working in a politicians office," Joske said.
Alex Joske says the aim of the Shanghai Overseas Friendship Association, run by the United Front Work department, where Zhang is a member is "to influence Australian politics."
ASIO are investigating the allegation that, whether knowingly or unknowingly, Moselmane is potentially being influenced by the Chinese government. (Nine)
Shaoquett Moselmane and John Zhang both declined to be interviewed by 60 Minutes.
Watch 'Foreign Interference' and full episodes of 60 Minutes on 9Now.
https://9now.nine.com.au/60-minutes...-minutes/6939c129-181f-4bfd-8228-e4da4d17540b
